How to Properly Kickflip: Fixing the Most Common Mistake

The Most Common Kickflip Mistake

• 💡 The number one problem for aspiring kickflippers is their front foot going straight to the ground instead of flicking the board.
• ⚠️ This incorrect motion prevents the board from spinning properly and makes landing impossible without a magical recovery.
• 🎯 To land a kickflip, your front foot must remain above the board to control the spin and allow for a stable landing.

Unlearning and Retraining Muscle Memory

• 🧠 If you've been practicing the wrong way for a long time, you'll need to unlearn old habits and retrain your muscle memory.
• ⏳ This process requires repeated practice, potentially for many hours and days, to break ingrained incorrect movements.
• 🛠️ Focus on practicing the correct flick motion repeatedly, even without trying the full trick, to build new muscle memory.

The Correct Kickflip Flick Technique

• 🚀 The front foot should drag up the board and then flick upwards off the nose, not downwards.
• ✍️ Visualize a line on your grip tape in the direction of the flick to help guide your foot's motion.
• 🎯 The flick is primarily an ankle motion, so preparing your foot correctly is crucial for a good flick.

Understanding the Pop and Flip

• 💥 The back foot pushes the tail down to pop the board off the ground, creating the necessary height.
• ⬆️ The board then flies up with the action of the front foot flicking, combining the pop and flick for the flip.
• 🤝 The kickflip is a combination of the tail pop and the front foot flick, with your front foot ideally positioned at a 45° angle.

Practicing and Landing the Kickflip

• ✅ Start by practicing the pop and flick motion, landing only your front foot on the board to avoid the bad habit of landing your back foot first.
• 🤸 Once comfortable, progress to bending your back knee and putting both feet on the board to complete the trick.
• 🎉 Landing your first kickflip is a significant accomplishment after overcoming both physical and mental challenges.